Pep Guardiola could get his new Busquets as Manchester City close in on the £45 million-rated “destroyer.”

Pep Guardiola could get his new Busquets as Manchester City close in on the £45 million-rated “destroyer.”

Kalvin Phillips, Manchester City’s proposed signing, could “go straight into their midfield.”

That is according to a claim made by Andros Townsend, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

According to a report published last Friday, Manchester City and Leeds United have agreed on a deal in the area of £45 million for their defensive midfielder.

The transfer is expected to take place, albeit personal terms have yet to be agreed upon.

While it is unclear whether the England international would play regularly under Pep Guardiola, Everton midfielder Andros Townsend believes he should start at the Etihad next season.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Townsend said: “I would have said it was a bit cheap [proposed transfer fee]. But if you are right in saying he has two years left on his deal, then it makes perfect sense.

“Once you get to two years left, the power goes to the player. It comes out of the club’s hands.

“They are then panicking: ‘If we don’t sell him, if he’s unhappy, then we can’t let him get down to a year because his fee is going to half again.’ So I think taking all of the things into consideration, then £42m is the right amount.”

“You would like to think if you spend £42m, then you are going to be a starter,” Townsend added. ” Rodri is a top, top player as well.

Townsend’s most recent admission on talkSPORT is not a bad one.

Guardiola may be faced with a difficult decision in the holding midfielder position right now, given Rodri’s importance.

He has proven to be a bit of a master in possession. 

And, while he’s scored seven goals and provided two assists from defensive midfield, his defensive numbers have taken a minor blow, with one-on-one defending scenarios a recurring problem for City.

So, if Pep Guardiola decides to promote Rodri to the position of number 8 box-to-box midfielder, Phillips would be a natural fit in the holding role for the Premier League champions.

With an average of 3.67 tackles and 1.92 interceptions per game, Phillips is a valuable asset who can remain back and dominate play from deep.

Simply put, he is City’s best imitation of Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets, who has mastered the job of the solitary pivot in a 4-3-3.

The Spaniard rose to prominence under Guardiola, appearing 191 times for the club, the most he has played for any coach.

With that in mind, it’s evident that the City tactician understands how to get the most out of a holding midfielder, and Phillips may be his new Busquets.

Steve McClaren once called him as a “destroyer,” and he possesses not just the grace in possession, but also the tactical knowledge and physicality to dominate like the great Spaniard has at Camp Nou.

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Pep Guardiola could get his new Busquets as Manchester City close in on the £45 million-rated “destroyer.”